Benefit ball raises $67,000 for community projectsThe Russellville Junior Auxiliary Children’s Benefit Ball, Cirque Gala, raised nearly $67,000 and was attended by more than 300 guests Saturday at the L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club. President Jennifer Samuels said the event was successful and well-received by the community. “We were thrilled with the turnout and dollars raised at the 2015 Children’s Benefit Ball,” Samuels said. “The support from the community for our organization has con...

Area man gets $100,000 bond after car chaseArkansas State Police (ASP) arrested a man who had bond set at $100,000 Friday morning for fleeing after a chase from Pope County into Yell County that reached speeds of over 100 mph. According to a report, Russellville police officers arrived at a location where Chad Thompson, 35, allegedly tried to pass a fraudulent prescription. They reportedly followed the suspect after he left Russellville on Main Street (U.S. Highway 64) to Pottsville, w...

Committee reviews draft ordinanceThe committee tasked with creating an ordinance to regulate mobile food vendors in Russellville reviewed a draft ordinance City Attorney Trey Smith prepared and nailed down some details during a meeting Thursday. All present committee members — Alderman Richard Harris, Planning Commissioners Mike Wilkins, Herschell Hargus and Doug Skelton, who is also a Pope County Justice of the Peace — agreed mobile food vendors should be allowed to stay in ...

Seasonal jobs bump unemployment rates Editor's note: The December 2014 figures in this article are according to preliminary figures released by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and is the most recent data available. All other figures are according to final figures released by DWS. The unemployment rate for Pope County in December 2014 was 5.5 percent, which was up slightly from November's 5.3 percent rate. In December, 1,650 people were without jobs out of the 2...

Cancer survivors celebrate at banquetNearly 100 people turned out for Saturday’s annual River Valley Relay For Life Survivor’s Banquet at the First United Methodist Church in Russellville. Daranda Golden, who is currently battling cancer, was this year’s guest speaker. Entergy sponsored the banquet and guests were treated to dinner donated by Tyson Foods, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Brown’s Catfish. Pianist Bruce Moore entertained guests throughout the evening. “The ...

Pottsville sirens to be ready by tornado seasonPOTTSVILLE — Mayor Jerry Williams told the Pottsville City Council during its regular meeting Monday that four tornado sirens the city purchased are scheduled to arrive in early March. During its Jan. 26 meeting, the council approved the purchase of the sirens for $79,800. "They'll start marking spots when [the sirens] come in," Williams said after the meeting. "It should take about three days to install." He said the sirens should be installe...

Russellville officers receive awardsThe Russellville Police Department handed out awards to seven officers for accomplishments in 2014 during a ceremony Wednesday. Two officers received the Meritorious Award — Detective Steve Barker and Detective Ricky Hendrix. The Meritorious Award is given for outstanding job accomplishment. Chief Jeff Humphrey said Barker was recognized for his "continuous and passionate commitment in investigating crimes against children." Humphrey said Hend...

RPD creates child-friendly interview roomThe Russellville Police Department (RPD) has transformed one of its three interview rooms into a child-friendly environment where young victims and witnesses can comfortably talk to police. Detective Steve Barker, who specializes in crimes against children, led the charge on creating the space. "After what these kids are going through — even going through the interview process — as comfortable as we can make them, the better. Why wouldn't we d...

Alliance considers hiring PR firmJeff Pipkin, Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED) and Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce president, told the AVAED during its regular meeting Thursday he contacted Mitchell Communications Group to inquire about help with public relations issues. He said the firm, who worked on the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market project, gave him a one-page summary of some actions it might take if hired as well as an estimate of $12,000-$1...

Greathouse named Officer of the YearOfficer James "Brett" Greathouse was named the 2014 Officer of the Year and awarded a plaque during a ceremony Wednesday at the Russellville Police Department (RPD). "This award is given to an officer who has distinguished himself through either an accumulation of exceptional contributions or a single incident, and whose actions clearly place the individual above others of equal rank or grade," Chief Jeff Humphrey said as he presented Greathou...

Russellville City Council tells engineer to move forward on O Street designThe Russellville City Council instructed Public Works Director and City Engineer Kurt Jones move forward with surveying work and a final design of the O Street project during Thursday’s meeting at City Hall. Jones presented updated designs to aldermen during the Finance Committee meeting that showed the complete-street project going to the Reasoner-Parker Road intersection. The council reviewed a design during its Feb. 10 Finance Committee tha...

Public weighs in on Clean LineNearly 200 people packed the Lake Point Conference Center on Tuesday to discuss the proposed Plains & Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering partnering with Clean Line Energy Partners LLC on the project and hosted the public hearing to assess the project's potential environmental impacts and receive the public's input. Jane Summerson, DOE spokesman, said all comments submitted — whether spok...

Report: Construction down, business permits upThe city had fewer construction projects but more new business permits issued in 2014 than 2013, according to a community development annual report. In 2014, the city reported 244 construction projects with an estimated cost of nearly $33.3 million, down 80 from 324 construction projects in 2013 with an estimated cost of $78.1 million. The construction projects reported include single family residences, residential remodels/additions, accessor...

Pottsville approves $71,500 equipment purchasePOTTSVILLE — The City Council approved purchasing a new backhoe loader during a special meeting last week at Pottsville City Hall. Mayor Jerry Williams said he called the meeting because the current backhoe loader was in poor shape. "This is one we put off for a long time," Mayor Jerry Williams said. "We finally felt like we had to purchase one." Williams said it would take about $20,000-$30,000 to fix the current backhoe loader, so the counci...

Committee ponders food truck regulationsThe committee tasked with drafting an ordinance regarding food truck regulations discussed what constitutes a food truck during its first meeting this week. City Planner David Harris said if the operation stays in one spot, it is not a portable food truck, regardless of its capability to move. "They're not temporary if they stay for months and months or however long," he said. "The fact that you could pull up and drive away — it's only theoret...

Orbit Lane Trail to open in AprilThe Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission discussed the opening of Orbit Lane Trail during its meeting Tuesday at the Hughes Center. Director Mack Hollis said the trail is nearly complete and will be open to the public in April. "It's pretty much ready to use now, but it's not completed. We still have about 1,700 feet to set up and asphalt. I've contacted a company about putting a stripe down the middle," Hollis said. "I would think it ...

Russellville man dies days after rollover crashLITTLE ROCK — A Pope County man died Wednesday from injuries he sustained in a Monday night crash Monday in Johnson County. James Carlton Miller Davis, 22, of Russellville was driving east on U.S. Highway 64 near the intersection with State Highway 359 in Lamar shortly before 11 p.m. Monday when the vehicle went out of control, according to a police report. Arkansas State Police reported Davis then "over-corrected and began to rollover." Davis...

Aldermen discuss manager, O Street sidewalk projectMorgan Barrett of Barrett and Associates knows a thing or two about how important a construction manager can be to the success of a project. Barrett, also a member of the Russellville School Board, pointed out that hiring a construction manager for the new high school gym project, which totaled $12.5 million, has made it a very successful project. “The selection of a construction manager is based on qualifications,” Barrett told the Russellvil...

Former sheriff to direct juvenile centerDANVILLE — A former sheriff has been hired as director of the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center. Mike May, who served two terms as Yell County Sheriff in the late 1980s through the early 1990s, will take his post as director on Feb. 16. Sheriff Bill Gilkey announced his hiring late Tuesday. Captain John Foster Jr., Yell County Sheriff's Department spokesman, said May will be a good fit for the center. "We are looking forward to moving forw...

Tri-Peaks Tourism Membership Banquet announcedIt’s time for the Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association to once again host its annual Membership Banquet. The banquet is set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Paris Community Center, located at 23 E. Main St. in downtown Paris. The banquet will attract top business tourism community leaders throughout six counties. The event will celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and launch the new Tri-Peaks initiatives and the media r...